FlyDubai’s Boeing 737-800 crashed at Rostov-on-Don’s airport on Saturday, March 19, during a second attempt to land in adverse weather conditions killing all 62 people on board

Pope Francis

VATICAN, March 21. /TASS/. Pope Francis has presented condolences to the next-of-kin of 62 people killed in a plane crash in Russia’s southern Rostov-on-Don city in the early hours of Saturday, the Holy See’s Press Office said on Monday.

The telegram, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, said "His Holiness commends the souls of the dead to the mercy of Almighty God and implores the divine gifts of consolation, strength and hope upon all who mourn their loss".

On Saturday, at 3:42 am Moscow Time (0:42 am UTC), FlyDubai’s Boeing 737-800 crashed at Rostov-on-Don’s airport during a second attempt to land in adverse weather conditions (strong side wind and rain). The plane served regular Flight FZ 981 from Dubai. The passenger jet with capacity for 189 passengers was carrying 62 people. None of them survived.